You have to live in drought condition to fully appreciate the experience: Watching trees, grass and gardens suffer, fearing the inevitable wildfires fueled by dead vegetation, and the constant focus on ways to make what little water there is last.
Now we've got Texas agencies battling the federal government to hold onto water flowing down the Rio Grande. A federal agency called the Texas and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), run by Obama appointee Edward Drusina, has proposed an early release of water from the Rio Grande to help Mexico with its drought problems.
Commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Department of Agriculture have protested with a press release -- see Commissioners Staples, Rubinstein Request Federal Action to Rescind Water Delivery to Mexico That Harms Drought-Stricken Texans (4/4/2012) and a letter to IBWC -- see Dear Commissioner Drusina. Excerpt:
Our interpretation of the 1906 Convention does not entitle Mexico to receive water whenever they call for it. ...
... It appears that your decision to deliver water to Mexico under the current circumstances is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Convention, and results in the protection of Mexico’s citizens at the expense of U.S. citizens, namely those who rely on Rio Grande Project water.
Comparing the U.S. Section of the IBWC on the unresolved issues noted above to your response to Mexico’s call for water, we are gravely concerned that the 1906 Convention is being implemented in a way that discriminates against U.S. water users. We respectfully urge you to resolve these issues in a manner that restores the confidence of Texas water users in the U.S. Section of the IBWC.
Doesn't it seem as though President Obama takes the side against the state of Texas at every opportunity? Maybe it's supposed to bring us in line.
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